Photo Contest: FAQs

To increase awareness of the kindness and compassion around us by capturing photos demonstrating these virtues

To educate and inspire the general public through wide sharing of the impactful content generated by the program

To engage photographers to be an integral part of this transformational program and both recognize and reward them for their efforts

To create more joy, harmony, connection, collaboration, gratitude, and compassion through these photos

3) Is the contest free to enter?

Yes! The contest is completely free to enter.

4) When will the winners be announced?

The winners will be announced in August 2019.

5) How about the finalists, when will they be announced?

The finalists will be announced mid July-2019.

6) Who selects the finalists and winners?

A total of 40 finalists are selected by both the online community (public choice) and Envision Kindness staff. To be one of the top 20 finalists from public choice, you must have the most shares, votes, comments and likes during the voting period from July 3 – July 10. Votes, shares, and comments all count to points. The images with the top 20 point totals will become finalists.The other 20 finalists are selected by Envision Kindness staff based on the quality of the photo, the message of the photo, and information included by the photographer explaining what is happening in the photo. The winners will be chosen from our finalists by our panel of distinguished judges.This year we are adding a new category and prize to celebrate the work of volunteers and the non-profits (charities) they volunteer for. The Envision Kindness staff will select up to 10 additional photos to be considered for the Nonprofit Honoree prize. The Our World Is Kind judges will pick the best image from that group.

Only one prize is awarded. If an image is selected for more than one prize, the prize with the greatest value will be awarded.

7) What do you mean by an image of kindness?

Kindness appears in many different forms. Our website also provides some ideas and we also encourage you to draw inspiration from last year’s finalists and winners. Some examples and ideas include:

People helping other people: volunteers for a good cause; helping someone by comforting them, offering them food or money, helping the elderly, young or disabled; leaving a note for someone, etc.

Community: We really want to see photos from organizations that do good and kind work. Like donating blood, building homes or schools; taking care of the poor, sick, or disabled; taking care of veterans; advocating for peace, love, kindness, and compassion.

8) Why do you do voting?

Our aim is to share images of kindness with as many people as possible to inspire more kindness. We also know that these images make people feel good. We include it as part of the contest so that you can inspire your own family, friends, and network with your good work. As we value what the public thinks, we have also created an award for Public Choice to celebrate that, too. And because there can also be photos that are terrific and that should also be considered, we will select 20 of the best that were not included in the top vote recipients. So there are two ways to be selected as a finalist!

This year, we have also created a new category to celebrate the good work nonprofits and charities are doing in our communities. Ten photos will be selected for consideration for this prize, which will be awarded by our judges.

9) How do I get points and votes for my photos?

To be one of our top 20 finalists by points, you must have the most points.

How do you get points? Points are credited every time someone votes for your photo on the contest website. In addition, you get points from shares, likes or views of your photo on social media! A person can vote once every 24 hours. You can also get votes when someone comments on your photo! The contest administrators reserve the right to delete (and disqualify) any comments that are negative or do not pertain to the contest. The more you and others share your photo, the better your chance. This also helps to spread and promote kindness.

10) Are there any other ways to be a finalist other than receiving the most votes?

Yes! If you were not a top vote-getter, you still may have a chance. Envision Kindness will choose up to 20 photos (not in the top 20 vote recipients) as additional finalists to move on to the judging round.

10 additional photos will be considered as part of a separate category, the Nonprofit Honoree Prize, and the judges will select a winner from that set of photos.

11) Can you describe the nonprofit prize?

The Nonprofit Honoree Prize will be awarded to the photo that most powerfully tells the story of a nonprofit (charity), a NGO, or an organization making a positive impact in their community. This is a separate prize category and will not be judged with our top 40 finalists. The Envision Kindness staff will select up to 10 additional photos to be considered for the Nonprofit Honoree prize. The Our World Is Kind judges will pick the best image from that group. Only one prize is awarded to each photo. If an image is selected for more than one prize, the prize with the greatest value will be awarded. 50% of the prize will go to the photographer, and 50% will go to the featured nonprofit. Do you know a nonprofit doing amazing work in your community? This category could be for you!

12) Will I be notified if I was NOT chosen as a finalist or winner?

No. Due to the large number of submissions, only photos eligible for prizes will be notified of their status after the judging period ends. This includes the top 40 finalists (20 selected through voting and 20 selected by Envision Kindness) and the top ten photos eligible for the Nonprofit Honoree prize.

13) How many photos can I submit to the contest?

Each photo must be a separate submission. You are allowed up to five submissions.

14) Can I enter if I live outside the United States?

Yes, but photographs must be uploaded by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on June 30, 2019. We follow US law in awarding all prizes–some countries may not be eligible to receive the prize money.

15) Can photos be cropped or manipulated?

Yes.

16) Do you accept black and white photographs?

Yes.

17) What size should my digital image be for uploading with the online entry form?

In order to be displayed in our online gallery without being stretched or distorted, photographs must be submitted in .jpeg, .jpg or .gif format, edited for the web, at least 2,000 pixels wide and no larger than 10 MB. Mobile photographs must be submitted at their highest resolution.

18) Can I submit an image I took with my cellular phone?

Yes. Please check that your photo is a high-resolution image. Most smartphones have the capabilities of taking high-resolution images.

19) Can I submit a photograph that has been entered into a previous Envision Kindness competition?

Yes, you may submit work that has been previously submitted to an Envision Kindness competition. However, in an effort to promote the creation of new work, we encourage you to submit new photography as much as possible. Please note that photos that have received awards (i.e. First Place, Public Choice, or Honorable Mention) are not eligible for resubmission.

Consider this your page - so come on in! Viewing content that is positive and expresses kindness, compassion, and empathy will not only lift your mood but can also make you healthier and increase the relationships you share!
Share and view kind content and increase your overall well being by engaging with us!
@EnvisionKindness#pictureabetterworld

Social justice naturally flows from kindness. Kindness to others requires learning and acknowledging the history and issues so that social justice can manifest. Below is the first of two short but impactful videos from the Equal Justice Initiative https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4e_djVSag4

Photo of the Week #75: "A Lovingly Brother Gesture”
“This gesture of two brothers lovingly caressing one another is a typical gesture when these lions that are part of the famous Marsh Pride of Lions who live in Savuti, Botswana. The pride splits up during different seasons of the year but come together every now and again and this is a familiar gesture between the pride as they come together. It shows that loving and kindness is also applicable in the world of our wild animals.”-E. Gibson#PhotoOftheWeek#PictureaBetterWorld#kindnesshttps://www.envisionkindness.org/gallery/